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WMVY Nears Goal To Raise $600,000

North Dakota has come through, making it a clean sweep of donations from 50 states for radio station WMVY.

And the popular Vineyard station that was in danger of going silent after an NPR station purchased its signal, has nearly reached its fundraising goal.

"We are hoping to do it in the next 24 hours," Barbara Dacey, director of programming for WMVY, told the Gazette at press time Thursday. "We don't know. It's all up to everybody else," she added.

In November, Boston NPR station WBUR purchased the 92.7 signal, and WMVY launched a fundraising campaign to continue online programming. The goal was to raise $600,000 in 60 days.

By Thursday at 5:45 p.m., the station had raised $583,227, nudged up with a $3,000 donation from South Mountain Company. A short time later the Vineyard Gazette pledged $1,000.

On Jan. 17, the Federal Communications Commission approved the transfer of the license to WBUR. While it isn't yet clear when WBUR will start broadcasting on 92.7, it could be soon.

Meanwhile, in the last few weeks, those watching thermometer measuring donations on the station's website have seen the red creep steadily upward, as donations have come in at a fast clip.

In the last week alone, the station has raised about $100,000, with the help of a matching donor.

"It's been a really, really great week," Ms. Dacey said.

If the station meets the goal, the $600,000 will fund continued operations for one year and the station, operating as the nonprofit Friends of MVY, will continue its online streaming.

An effort to find a new FM signal continues.

As of last week, donations had come in from 14 countries and 48 of the 50 states, with Arkansas and North Dakota the remaining holdouts. But a pledge came through from the southern state, leaving North Dakota the last state that hasn't contributed to the campaign. "Maybe its too cold," Ms. Dacey told the Gazette at press time Thursday. A few hours later, at about 9:15 p.m the station anounced that Ryan from Fargo, N.D., had made a pledge.

If the station does meet its goal as now expected, a celebration is already in place on Saturday, when the station's annual Big Chili Contest, a popular (and often sold-out) competition that is a fundraiser for the Red Stocking Fund takes place.

For those who wish to contribute, donations can be made at friendsofmvyradio.org.

Comments (3)

Okay, I am really confused by this, and my going over to the WMVY site did little to clarify. Can the Gazette tell readers more background here:
What are the donations funding? Is $600k good for a year of on-line programming? Will that pay salaries or for what exactly?
And why are you not seeking any comment from WBUR? Seems they already have a signal that reaches the Vineyard, yes, it's AM. How much did they pay to take over 92.7?
Just seems like lots of unanswered questions here. Thanks.